Jerry Brandell, MSSW ’77, (also PhD, University of Chicago), recently received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work. The award recognizes his “contributions to clinical social work and psychoanalysis” and was presented at its 2025 Biennial Conference held in …
Jason Lee
Communications and Development, School of Social Work
Social Welfare Student, Laila Edwards, Named to Team USA
Laila Edwards, a senior social work student in the Social Welfare Program, has made history, becoming the first Black woman named to Team USA’s Olympic Hockey Team. Last year, Laila sat down with us to …
A Career of Compassion: Sandy Budd, MSSW’83 Ends 33 Years Serving Holocaust Survivors
During her 33 years working with Jewish Family and Community Services of Pittsburgh, Sandy Budd served many individuals and families. Many of her most poignant memories are of the Holocaust survivors she has helped care …
In the News: Assistant Professor Callie Freitag on Marketplace
Assistant Professor Callie Freitag was recently featured on Marketplace discussing the impact of increasing the minimum wage in several states. “As for the impact on workers, Callie Freitag at the University of Wisconsin, Madison uses Seattle …
Alum and Former Faculty Member Stephen Webster, PhD/ MSSW Receives Prestigious Award
After receiving his PhD/MSSW from Social Work and MA from the La Follette School of Public Affairs, Steve Webster taught at the School of Social Work in the 1970s and 1980s. He was recently awarded …
Lissa Merkel, MSW ’14, Draws on Her Experience to Help Others
Lissa Merkel, MSW ’14, a former student in our Mental Health Focus Area, and now a licensed clinical social worker in Los Angeles California, has faced major health challenges during her life. First, a lengthy …
Brooke Barcena, MSW ‘19, Continues Work from Field Education to Assist Victims
Social workers step in when individuals need help or communities face gaps – offering support, advocacy, care, and thoughtful planning. That includes Brooke Barcena, who, as a second-year MSW student in 2019, helped create a …
Advanced Standing Student Kat Froehlic Quoted in Cap Times Article
Advanced Standing student Kat Froehlich, who is doing a Field Placement with the Area Agency on Aging of Dane County, moderated a panel on the experiences of unhoused older adults at The Human Side of …
Marcy Bradley, MSW ’93 Brings “Joy in Diversity” to the School of Social Work
Alum Marcy Bradley, who served on our Board of Visitors, has been a generous supporter of the school for many years. Much of her support is targeted at diversity and social justice. Marcy worked as …
Jenny Braunginn Contributes to Book on School Social Work Practice
Jenny Braunginn, MSSW, CISW, Senior Teaching Faculty, has co-authored a second book for the Oxford Workshop Series with the School Social Work Association of America titled, Emerging Trends in School Social Work Practice: Responding to …